An Arkansas man received a 15-year prison sentence Thursday in the sexual assault of a girl.
Edward Joseph Shirley, 25, of Gentry pleaded guilty to sexual assault under a plea agreement. He was originally charged with rape.
Circuit Judge Robin Green also gave Shirley five-year suspended sentence.
Gentry police began investigating in October 2017 after a 13-year-old disclosed that Shirley sexually assaulted her when she was 7 years old, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The teen said during an interview at the Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County that Shirley touched her inappropriately on more than one occasion, according to the affidavit.
Shirley admitted to police that he had sexual contact with the child, according to the affidavit. He was arrested June 16.
Shirley is required to register as a sex offender and must complete the prison's sex offender treatment program.
The judge ordered him not to have any contact with the girl or unsupervised contact with any minors.
Shirley must pay $1,670 in court associated costs.
